US20080011701A1 - Modular jar - Google Patents
Modular jar Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080011701A1 US20080011701A1 US11/484,371 US48437106A US2008011701A1 US 20080011701 A1 US20080011701 A1 US 20080011701A1 US 48437106 A US48437106 A US 48437106A US 2008011701 A1 US2008011701 A1 US 2008011701A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- base section
- sidewall
- extension section
- section
- modular
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/08—Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/083—Containers of variable capacity by means of additional elements, e.g. modular
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to modular jars that may be coupled together to form ajar of variable height. As contents from the combined jars are removed, the jars may be easily separated so that all of the contents therein may be conveniently removed.
- a modular jar having a variable height and having sections that may be selectively removed as the contents are emptied so that all of the contents may be easily removed. Further, it would be desirable to have a modular jar having a base section, removable extension sections, and a lid that may be combined or removed as needed.
- a modular jar according to the present invention includes a base section having a floor with a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom.
- the sidewall defines an open top with an upper fastener such that the base section defines an interior space in which to hold selected items, such as food items.
- the modular jar also includes an extension section having a continuous side wall having upper and lower ends and defining an open space therebetween.
- the extension section includes an upper fastener at the upper and end and a lower fastener at the lower end. All of the upper fasteners have configurations that are complementary to configurations of all lower fasteners such that a lower section may be releasably coupled to the base section or to another extension section.
- the fasteners may be, for example, a twist lock or threads.
- a general object of this invention is to provide a modular jar having multiple sections that may be coupled together to hold items therein.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, in which extension sections may be selectively removed as contents are removed so as to give convenient access to all items stored therein.
- Yet another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, in which removal of jar sections is quick, easy, and user-friendly.
- Still another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, that is easy and economical to manufacture.
- FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a modular jar according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a separated configuration;
- FIG. 1 b is another perspective view of the modular jar as in FIG. 1 a, shown in a coupled configuration;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the modular jar as in FIG. 1 b;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular jar according to another embodiment of the present invention, in use with a base section and lid and illustrating use of a twist lock fastener configuration;
- FIG. 4 a is a top view of the modular jar as in FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of the modular jar as in FIG. 3 in use with a base section, extension section, and lid;
- FIG. 4 c is a sectional view of the modular jar taken along line 4 c - 4 c of FIG. 4 a;
- FIG. 4 d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken from FIG. 4 c.
- a modular jar 100 according to the present invention includes a base section 110 , an extension section 120 , and a lid 130 .
- the base section 110 has a sidewall 112 that extends generally upwardly from a floor 111 .
- the base section sidewall 112 presents upper and lower ends 112 a, 112 b and defines an interior open area 115 therebetween.
- the upper end 112 a of the base section sidewall 112 includes an upper fastener 150 which may be, for example, threads 150 a ( FIGS. 1 a, 2 , and 4 d ) or twist lock elements 150 b ( FIG. 3 ). While the threads 150 a are shown as external threads, they may alternately be internal threads.
- the extension section 120 includes a sidewall 122 that presents upper and lower ends 122 a, 122 b and defines an interior open area 125 therebetween.
- the upper end 122 a of the extension section sidewall 122 has another upper fastener 150 which may be, for example, threads 150 a ( FIGS. 1 a, 2 , and 4 d ) or twist lock elements 150 b ( FIG. 3 ) as described above.
- the lower end 122 b of the extension section sidewall 122 has a lower fastener 155 which may be, for example, threads 155 a ( FIGS. 1 a, 2 , and 4 d ) or twist lock elements. All of the upper fasteners 150 are respectively complementary to all of the lower fasteners 155 . In other words, if the upper fasteners 150 are external threads 150 a, for example, then the lower fasteners 155 are complementary internal threads 155 a.
- the lid 130 is sized to selectively cover the base section 110 and the extension section 120 , respectively, and has a lower fastener 155 .
- the lower fastener 155 may be, for example, threads 155 a ( FIGS. 2 , and 4 d ) or twist lock elements as described above.
- the base section sidewall 112 may be a generally cylindrical shell and the extension section sidewall 122 may be a generally cylindrical shell that has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the generally cylindrical shell of the base section 110 .
- the base section sidewall 112 and/or the extension section sidewall 122 may respectively be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or another regularly or irregularly shaped shell.
- FIG. 4 d shows that a seal 140 may be situated at the upper end 112 a of the base section sidewall 112 to selectively seal the base section 110 to the extension section 120 and the lid 130 , respectively, as described below.
- the seal 140 in FIG. 4 d is an o-ring, other types of seals may alternately or additionally be used.
- the extension section 120 may be coupled to the base section 110 by mating the upper fastener 150 of the base section 110 with the lower fastener 155 of the extension section 120 ( FIGS. 1 b and 1 b through 4 d ).
- the base section threads 150 a may be coupled with the extension section threads 155 a or the twist lock elements 150 b of the base section 110 may be coupled with the twist lock elements of the extension section 120 .
- the extension section lower fastener 155 is coupled to the base section upper fastener 150
- the base section open area 115 and the extension section open area 125 may define a continuous open area, as shown in FIG. 4 c.
- the seal 140 may aid in making the connection between the base section 110 and the extension section 120 air-tight and/or water-tight.
- the lid 130 may be coupled to the extension section 120 ( FIGS. 1 b, 4 b, and 4 c ) by mating the upper fastener 150 of the extension section 120 with the lower fastener 155 of the lid 130 .
- the extension section threads 150 a may be coupled with the lid threads 155 a or the twist lock elements 150 b of the extension section 120 may be coupled with the twist lock elements of the lid 130 .
- two or more extension sections may be coupled together to form a larger composite extension section 120 .
- the lid 130 may be selectively separated from the extension section 120 (i.e., by uncoupling the upper and lower fasteners 150 , 155 ) to access contents in the extension section open area 125 and the base section open area 115 .
- the extension section 120 may be separated from the base section 110 (i.e., by uncoupling the upper and lower fasteners 150 , 155 ).
- the contents of the base section open area 115 may be more easily accessed after the extension section 120 is removed.
- the lid 130 may be coupled to the base section 110 ( FIG. 3 ). More particularly, the upper fastener 150 of the base section 110 may be coupled with the lower fastener 155 of the lid 130 as generally discussed above.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
The present invention relates to a modular jar having sections that may be selectively removed as contents are emptied. A base section includes a floor and a sidewall upwardly extending therefrom. The sidewall defines an open top at an upper end and includes an upper fastener. An extension section includes a sidewall that defines an open interior space and includes upper and lower ends. The extension section includes an upper fastener at the upper end and a lower fastener at the lower end. All upper fasteners have a configuration that is complementary to a configuration of all lower fasteners such that the extension section may be coupled to the base section or to another extension section. The modular jar includes a lid that may be removably coupled to an upper end of an extension section. The upper and lower fasteners may include complementary threads or twist lock elements.
Description
- This invention relates generally to containers and, more particularly, to modular jars that may be coupled together to form ajar of variable height. As contents from the combined jars are removed, the jars may be easily separated so that all of the contents therein may be conveniently removed.
- Contents from the bottom of a storage container are often difficult to remove in that the sides of the container are too close together to enable a person to conveniently reach to the bottom. In such cases, the container must be tipped or even completely turned upside down to remove the final items. This action often results in the final items being unexpectedly or undesirably removed all at once.
- Various containers for removing final items in a more controlled manner have been proposed in the art. Although assumably effective for their intended uses, the existing devices do not provide for a variable size container giving easy access to remaining items without the need for tipping or inversion of the container.
- Therefore, it would be desirable to have a modular jar having a variable height and having sections that may be selectively removed as the contents are emptied so that all of the contents may be easily removed. Further, it would be desirable to have a modular jar having a base section, removable extension sections, and a lid that may be combined or removed as needed.
- Accordingly, a modular jar according to the present invention includes a base section having a floor with a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom. The sidewall defines an open top with an upper fastener such that the base section defines an interior space in which to hold selected items, such as food items.
- The modular jar also includes an extension section having a continuous side wall having upper and lower ends and defining an open space therebetween. The extension section includes an upper fastener at the upper and end and a lower fastener at the lower end. All of the upper fasteners have configurations that are complementary to configurations of all lower fasteners such that a lower section may be releasably coupled to the base section or to another extension section. The fasteners may be, for example, a twist lock or threads.
- Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a modular jar having multiple sections that may be coupled together to hold items therein.
- Another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, in which extension sections may be selectively removed as contents are removed so as to give convenient access to all items stored therein.
- Yet another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, in which removal of jar sections is quick, easy, and user-friendly.
- Still another object of this invention is to provide a modular jar, as aforesaid, that is easy and economical to manufacture.
- Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.
-
FIG. 1 a is a perspective view of a modular jar according to one embodiment of the present invention, shown in a separated configuration; -
FIG. 1 b is another perspective view of the modular jar as inFIG. 1 a, shown in a coupled configuration; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the modular jar as inFIG. 1 b; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a modular jar according to another embodiment of the present invention, in use with a base section and lid and illustrating use of a twist lock fastener configuration; -
FIG. 4 a is a top view of the modular jar as inFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 4 b is a perspective view of the modular jar as inFIG. 3 in use with a base section, extension section, and lid; -
FIG. 4 c is a sectional view of the modular jar taken along line 4 c-4 c ofFIG. 4 a; and -
FIG. 4 d is an isolated view on an enlarged scale taken fromFIG. 4 c. - A
modular jar 100 according to the present invention will now be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 a through 4 d of the accompanying drawings. More particularly, amodular jar 100 according to the current invention includes abase section 110, anextension section 120, and alid 130. - The
base section 110 has asidewall 112 that extends generally upwardly from a floor 111. As best shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 c, thebase section sidewall 112 presents upper andlower ends 112 a, 112 b and defines an interioropen area 115 therebetween. Theupper end 112 a of thebase section sidewall 112 includes anupper fastener 150 which may be, for example,threads 150 a (FIGS. 1 a, 2, and 4 d) ortwist lock elements 150 b (FIG. 3 ). While thethreads 150 a are shown as external threads, they may alternately be internal threads. - The
extension section 120 includes asidewall 122 that presents upper andlower ends 122 a, 122 b and defines an interioropen area 125 therebetween. Theupper end 122 a of theextension section sidewall 122 has anotherupper fastener 150 which may be, for example,threads 150 a (FIGS. 1 a, 2, and 4 d) ortwist lock elements 150 b (FIG. 3 ) as described above. The lower end 122 b of theextension section sidewall 122 has alower fastener 155 which may be, for example,threads 155 a (FIGS. 1 a, 2, and 4 d) or twist lock elements. All of theupper fasteners 150 are respectively complementary to all of thelower fasteners 155. In other words, if theupper fasteners 150 areexternal threads 150 a, for example, then thelower fasteners 155 are complementaryinternal threads 155 a. - The
lid 130 is sized to selectively cover thebase section 110 and theextension section 120, respectively, and has alower fastener 155. Thelower fastener 155 may be, for example,threads 155 a (FIGS. 2 , and 4 d) or twist lock elements as described above. - As shown throughout the drawings, the
base section sidewall 112 may be a generally cylindrical shell and theextension section sidewall 122 may be a generally cylindrical shell that has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the generally cylindrical shell of thebase section 110. Alternately, thebase section sidewall 112 and/or theextension section sidewall 122 may respectively be rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, or another regularly or irregularly shaped shell. -
FIG. 4 d shows that aseal 140 may be situated at theupper end 112 a of thebase section sidewall 112 to selectively seal thebase section 110 to theextension section 120 and thelid 130, respectively, as described below. Though theseal 140 inFIG. 4 d is an o-ring, other types of seals may alternately or additionally be used. - In use, the
extension section 120 may be coupled to thebase section 110 by mating theupper fastener 150 of thebase section 110 with thelower fastener 155 of the extension section 120 (FIGS. 1 b and 1 b through 4 d). In other words, thebase section threads 150 a may be coupled with theextension section threads 155 a or thetwist lock elements 150 b of thebase section 110 may be coupled with the twist lock elements of theextension section 120. When the extension sectionlower fastener 155 is coupled to the base sectionupper fastener 150, the base sectionopen area 115 and the extension sectionopen area 125 may define a continuous open area, as shown inFIG. 4 c. Theseal 140 may aid in making the connection between thebase section 110 and theextension section 120 air-tight and/or water-tight. Thelid 130 may be coupled to the extension section 120 (FIGS. 1 b, 4 b, and 4 c) by mating theupper fastener 150 of theextension section 120 with thelower fastener 155 of thelid 130. In other words, theextension section threads 150 a may be coupled with thelid threads 155 a or thetwist lock elements 150 b of theextension section 120 may be coupled with the twist lock elements of thelid 130. Though only oneextension section 120 is shown throughout the drawings, two or more extension sections may be coupled together to form a largercomposite extension section 120. - The
lid 130 may be selectively separated from the extension section 120 (i.e., by uncoupling the upper andlower fasteners 150, 155) to access contents in the extension sectionopen area 125 and the base sectionopen area 115. Once the contents of the extension sectionopen area 125 have been removed, theextension section 120 may be separated from the base section 110 (i.e., by uncoupling the upper andlower fasteners 150, 155). The contents of the base sectionopen area 115 may be more easily accessed after theextension section 120 is removed. To cover the base sectionopen area 115 after theextension section 120 has been removed, thelid 130 may be coupled to the base section 110 (FIG. 3 ). More particularly, theupper fastener 150 of thebase section 110 may be coupled with thelower fastener 155 of thelid 130 as generally discussed above. - It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.
Claims (15)
1. A modular jar, comprising:
a base section having a floor and a sidewall extending generally upwardly from said floor, said base section sidewall presenting upper and lower ends and defining an interior open area therebetween, said upper end of said base section sidewall having an upper fastener;
an extension section having a sidewall presenting upper and lower ends and defining an interior open area therebetween, said upper end of said extension section sidewall having an upper fastener, said lower end of said extension section sidewall having a lower fastener;
a lid having a lower fastener; and
wherein all said upper fasteners are respectively complementary to all said lower fasteners.
2. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein said upper fasteners and said lower fasteners are selected from the group consisting of threads and twist lock elements.
3. The modular jar as in claim 2 , wherein said base section open area and said extension section open area define a continuous open area when said extension section lower fastener is coupled to said base section upper fastener.
4. The modular jar as in claim 3 , wherein:
said base section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell; and
said extension section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said generally cylindrical shell of said base section.
5. The modular jar as in claim 4 , further comprising a seal at said upper end of said base section sidewall to selectively seal said base section to said extension section and said lid, respectively.
6. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein said upper fasteners and said lower fasteners are threads.
7. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein said upper fasteners are external threads and said lower fasteners are internal threads.
8. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein said upper fasteners and said lower fasteners are twist lock elements.
9. The modular jar as in claim 1 , further comprising a seal at said upper end of said base section sidewall to selectively seal said base section to said extension section and said lid, respectively.
10. The modular jar as in claim 9 , wherein said seal is an o-ring.
11. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein:
said base section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell; and
said extension section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said generally cylindrical shell of said base section.
12. The modular jar as in claim 11 , further comprising a seal at said upper end of said base section sidewall to selectively seal said base section to said extension section and said lid, respectively.
13. The modular jar as in claim 1 , wherein said base section open area and said extension section open area define a continuous open area when said extension section lower fastener is coupled to said base section upper fastener.
14. The modular jar as in claim 13 , wherein:
said base section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell; and
said extension section sidewall is a generally cylindrical shell having a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of said generally cylindrical shell of said base section.
15. The modular jar as in claim 14 , further comprising a seal at said upper end of said base section sidewall to selectively seal said base section to said extension section and said lid, respectively.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/484,371 US20080011701A1 (en) | 2006-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Modular jar |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/484,371 US20080011701A1 (en) | 2006-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Modular jar |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20080011701A1 true US20080011701A1 (en) | 2008-01-17 |
Family
ID=38948188
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US11/484,371 Abandoned US20080011701A1 (en) | 2006-07-11 | 2006-07-11 | Modular jar |
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US (1) | US20080011701A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100089856A1 (en) * | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-15 | Rebecca Dinerstein | Jar |
US20100089857A1 (en) * | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-15 | Rebecca Dinerstein | Jar |
KR200456968Y1 (en) | 2011-04-21 | 2011-11-30 | 박태영 | Multiple combination a bottle |
WO2013115574A1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2013-08-08 | Park Tae Young | Join-together functional container |
WO2016089193A1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-09 | Ortiz Ortiz Alberto | Cylindrical modular container comprising three parts |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3369691A (en) * | 1966-12-15 | 1968-02-20 | Wei Tohchung | Stacked food containers |
US4279355A (en) * | 1980-04-11 | 1981-07-21 | Rite Autotronics Corporation | Twist-lock container |
US5758789A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-06-02 | Shin; Woong-Sik | Carbonated beverage bottle |
US5833928A (en) * | 1995-11-15 | 1998-11-10 | Sage Products, Inc. | Specimen transporting and processing system |
US6116448A (en) * | 1994-01-17 | 2000-09-12 | Fragos; Yiannis Nicolaos | Compressible container with adjustable internal volume |
US20030019875A1 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2003-01-30 | Diedre Woram | Variable volume container having a displaceable access means |
US20040262306A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Smith Steven W. | Multi-sectioned container |
US20050061764A1 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2005-03-24 | Masaharu Tamashiro | Variable volume beverage container |
-
2006
- 2006-07-11 US US11/484,371 patent/US20080011701A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3369691A (en) * | 1966-12-15 | 1968-02-20 | Wei Tohchung | Stacked food containers |
US4279355A (en) * | 1980-04-11 | 1981-07-21 | Rite Autotronics Corporation | Twist-lock container |
US6116448A (en) * | 1994-01-17 | 2000-09-12 | Fragos; Yiannis Nicolaos | Compressible container with adjustable internal volume |
US5833928A (en) * | 1995-11-15 | 1998-11-10 | Sage Products, Inc. | Specimen transporting and processing system |
US5758789A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-06-02 | Shin; Woong-Sik | Carbonated beverage bottle |
US20030019875A1 (en) * | 2001-01-10 | 2003-01-30 | Diedre Woram | Variable volume container having a displaceable access means |
US20040262306A1 (en) * | 2003-06-25 | 2004-12-30 | Smith Steven W. | Multi-sectioned container |
US20050061764A1 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2005-03-24 | Masaharu Tamashiro | Variable volume beverage container |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100089856A1 (en) * | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-15 | Rebecca Dinerstein | Jar |
US20100089857A1 (en) * | 2008-10-10 | 2010-04-15 | Rebecca Dinerstein | Jar |
KR200456968Y1 (en) | 2011-04-21 | 2011-11-30 | 박태영 | Multiple combination a bottle |
WO2013115574A1 (en) * | 2012-02-02 | 2013-08-08 | Park Tae Young | Join-together functional container |
WO2016089193A1 (en) * | 2014-12-01 | 2016-06-09 | Ortiz Ortiz Alberto | Cylindrical modular container comprising three parts |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |